The award was given by the Bengaluru Political Action Committee (BPAC), which is a group working to improve the conditions of the citizens of Bengaluru.
There are all kinds of award functions - for film stars, athletes, writers - people who are already successful and celebrated. Bengaluru, however, hosted an event that honoured those who are often overlooked, and deserve immense respect - the Pourakarmikas, those who clean the city's streets.
One of the awardees, Lakshmi Devi, has been working as a Pourakarmika for 16 years, though this is the first time she has been rewarded for the hardwork she has done. She told NDTV, "I have been cleaning the streets for many years - and now I have an award which makes me very happy. I wish all the other workers could get this."
The award was given by the Bengaluru Political Action Committee (BPAC), which is a group working to improve the conditions of the citizens of Bengaluru. Those who have been rewarded were selected from nominations made by local NGOs and corporation officials. Duration of service, commitment to work, and punctuality were the criteria which were verified before selecting the final twenty.
Gardeners who maintain parks in the city were also rewarded.
BPAC President, Revathy Ashok, told NDTV, "The Pourakarmikas are the people who are actually keeping our cities clean and there is very little pride in the kind of work that they do. We thought that this award would set a trend because waste management is a serious concern for all of us and by instituting an award like this, it will instill pride in a job that nobody wants to think about or look at.
Former state Lokayukta, Justice Santhosh Hegde, who was one of the guests at the award function said, "It is a wonderful initiative by BPAC to award people who have not been given recognition till now, and have often been looked down upon."
Gardeners who maintain parks in the city were also honoured. Fashion consultant, Prasad Bidappa, told NDTV, "We often complain about Bengaluru but we never compliment what is really right about it. One of the things that really shine in Bengaluru are our beautiful parks, but we have never honoured the gardeners."
These women and men contribute a lot to ensure that Bengaluru is kept clean and deserve this recognition for their effort.